That feeling of being hungry but completely turned off by food is actually really common with lupus — you're definitely not alone in this!
Loss of appetite is a recognized symptom of lupus itself, and several factors can contribute to it, including:
- Medications like hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) or prednisone
- Mouth Show Full Answer
That feeling of being hungry but completely turned off by food is actually really common with lupus — you're definitely not alone in this!
Loss of appetite is a recognized symptom of lupus itself, and several factors can contribute to it, including:
- Medications like hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) or prednisone
- Mouth ulcers, which affect about 25% of people with lupus and can make eating uncomfortable
- Depression or anxiety, which are common with lupus and can dampen interest in food
- Fatigue, which can make even the idea of preparing or eating food feel overwhelming
- Gastrointestinal issues like stomach pain or peptic ulcers from lupus treatments A MyLupusTeam member described it perfectly: "I get hunger pangs, and my body feels hungry, but I have no appetite. It's not that I'm restraining myself from eating. I just don't feel like I want to eat."
Some helpful strategies include eating smaller, more frequent meals, focusing on nutrient-dense foods, and keeping a symptom journal to track patterns. It's worth mentioning this to your doctor, especially if it's affecting your weight or energy levels.
June 3
That’s exactly how I feel
I’ll even go to the kitchen look around for something and nothing looks good. Even my go to stuff like fresh fruit or vegetables. Then I go back to bed and forget about it. Next thing I know it’s in the middle of the night and I’ve not eaten anything all day and the only thing that I have drank all day is when I took my meds. I truly can’t keep going on like this.
June 4
Join
Your Privacy Choices
